Thursday, October 13, 2016

A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton - a book review




This is the second book of the Path Finders series.  I’m glad I had already read the first one. I found it very helpful in understanding the relationships and background.  The author begins the book with a short review of the story from book one, told in a folklore style. 

This is a book that requires concentrated attention to read. 


It is set during the Revolutionary War in what we now call New England, more specifically, the Mohawk Valley of New York State.  The author does a good job of portraying the confusing political and social culture of the time.

This is from the back cover:

Hearts are Divided
Loyalties Will Be Tested 
The Fates of Two Families Hang in the Balance

 

Twenty years past, in 1757, a young Redcoat, Reginald Aubrey stole a newborn boy—the lighter-skinned of Oneida twins— during the devastating fall of Fort William Henry and raised him as his own.

 

No one connected to Reginald escaped unscathed from this crime. Not his adopted daughter Anna. Not Stone Thrower, the Native American father determined to get his son back. Not Two Hawks, William’s twin brother separated since birth, living in the shadow of his absence and hoping to build a future with Anna. Nor Lydia, who longs for Reginald to be free from his self-imposed emotional prison and embrace God’s forgiveness— and her love.

 

Now William, whose identity has been shattered after discovering the truth of his birth, hides in the ranks of an increasingly aggressive British army. The Redcoats prepare to attack frontier New York and the Continentals, aided by Oneida warriors including Two Hawks, rally to defend it. As the Revolutionary War penetrates the Mohawk Valley, two families separated by culture, united by love and faith, must find a way to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.”


At points the narratives seem overly long and wordy.  They didn’t hold my attention and I found myself tempted to skip them. 

There are so many characters to keep track of, many of them spies and double agents that I found it hard to keep straight who was on which side.

Christian faith is a major theme throughout the book and the merging of the Native American culture and Christianity is very well presented.  The romantic aspect of the story takes a back seat to the war aspect but it is an important part of the story.  I was a little uncomfortable with the intimacy portrayed, it was a bit too provocative for my taste.

This is a story of repentance, forgiveness, friendship, tolerance, acceptance, choices and sacrifice.


I found the author’s notes in the back of the book, and the map in the front to be very helpful.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Press through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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